Nickk

I wish the best on your recoup Norm. All those fish you catch will finally get a couple months rest!

Any of the five (5) counties surrounding Chicago do not allow any inflatable craft. I was told by Forest Preserve officials that it was a liability and insurance issue. I've discussed the possibility of wording that allows commercially manufactured watercraft or registered inflatables. I have been told that they are currently looking at the possibility of changing things in some of the counties. Stay tuned.

That's a good idea, I imagine that policy is in place so people don't float around on pool toys but it leaves legitimate water craft out.

Steve ,

 

I think the photoperiod has more to do with it than the water temps

I was thinking that too as I saw all the big fish posted up recently even though the weather has been warm. One day I may understand this stuff!

Now if I could just get out more

True! I hang my yak on the wall of the garage but it takes up a lot of wall space.

Joseph, as a fly shop owner shouldn't you have a Carolina Skiff parked in your garage?(or a Hyde driftboat)

aren't canoes like that in the $3000.00 neighborhood?

Any Forest Preserves in particular which do and don't allow inflatable boats? Thanks for your guys feedback.

Hmm, I'm trying to find where I read it but I can only find inflatables not allowed at Beck Lake.

What is that runoff from? Is that algae from too much nitrogen?

Lot of nice cars out there but the Matrix is winning out of cost, mileage and cargo space.

 

how many miles so far? No problems yet?

about 40K miles. There's kind of a weird smell when she puts on the defrost/heat but that's about it, that and it getting hit while parked in a lot in the city. If you're looking at 4WD though I'd go with a Subaru Outback(or if you need to tow anything). Overall it's great bang for the buck.

That's great!

Office Space

"I wouldn't say I've been missing it"

for inflatable I agree with others, pontoon. You can do a 'yak(rigid) on roof rack, I carry mine on a Toyota Matrix. BTW, many forest preserve waters don't allow inflatables, something to consider if you plan to fish any of them.

My wife has a Matrix(same thing as the Vibe), great car-excellent gas mileage. It could have a little more accelleration but it's small 4-it's powered adequately. I carry the kayak on it with a Yakima rack, since it's a hatch there isn't a trunk to lift it over so that's nice. I can run 7' rods from the hatch to about the front visors, if I was doing that with a passenger I'd probably want to fix them to the center somehow. The nice thing about the Matrix is the hard plastic when you fold down the seats, you can really get a ton in there, my wife just took her bike to the loop the other day and didn't have to remove any wheels.

If you happen to go again try to find a guy named Brian, he's very knowledgable in bass fishing though wade/river fishing isn't his forte. He's knows his stuff though.

1) I'm with Michael on this, I tend to fish more natural colors. Olive and black mostly but I carry bright colors too, chartreuse and white, orange and red.

2)I have caught most of my fly smallies subsurface, I'm fairly unimaginative these days with fly selection and tend to fish buggers and Clouser's and vary the presentation(though I haven't smallie fly fished in over a year).

As someone who does both I'll weigh in(though I'm adept at neither). Fishing is great regardless of technique, you're right that fly gear is at an advantage from a repetitive target prospective but conventional(spin and b-cast) are at an advantage of keeping a bait(lure, fly..whatever) in the strike-zone longer. Both methods have line management issues but flyline management requires more attention. I've come to the conclusion that though you can catch loads of smallies and sometimes large ones with fly gear you will catch larger fish with conventional gear. I think that is the case because you can fish both deeper and bigger(bait size). I know loads of people say it's not about catching fish, for me it is. When I go fishing I want to catch fish, size and #s are directly proportional to the positive mood I leave with

Nick,

LL had a problem with there molds at the scupper ho;es. They seem to be good at replacement just a tad slower than right now.

 

The scupper holes are the potentially weak area on ALL SOT kayaks.

If you go to a cart DON'T use one that sticks anything thru the scupper holes. Likewise avoid sticking rods, drag lines, or other items in the scupper holes.

 

As far a cutting holes for rod holders. There are always alternative. I shy away from surface mounts that create a high profile that may get in the way of casting/handling forward. This is particularily true when flyrodding.

 

That all said. I'm lookind at getting another Manta Ray, this one a 10, for the fishing widow to paddle.

 

Have fun with it!

 

Rick

I try and remember to get some pics up. I like the flush mounts but still run an Ram in the front, I typically have 3 rigs with me but I've only been fishing still water. I just added a Humminbird and anchor trolley, I didn't have trouble using a fly rod from a line management prospective with all the mounted stuff but I'm not trying to shoot line out 60 feet either, just a little 3-weight action for panfish;though I caught a couple channel cats on a size 14 nymph,one of those went 18" and took a while to get in

Welcome!

Update on my Mantaray:

It seems that SOT kayaks are still in a development phase as I went through 2 that had scupper problems. They were handled my LL quickly and my final replacment(since it's doesn't seep water) is a Native Mantaray 12. They made a couple small changes but it's a great boat. I swapped over the rod holder and flushmounts holders(drilling scary big holes) and since added a Humminbird Piranhamax 215. I've only had the yaks out on the Skokie Lagoons and Busse Lake but it's a blast! 2 weeks ago I fished the lagoons and was able to carry a spinning rod, a baitcaster, and a 3-weight fly rig. I caught bluegill and 2 channel cats on the fly and 5 largemouth on the b-caster, not bad for a 3 hour outing!(actually my best yak trip to date and the best I've done on the 'goons in a looooooong time).

Also anyone concerned about weight may want to look into building a cart, I made one from PVC but haven't needed it yet. I made it so I can break it down and fit into my bow hatch.

I'd say go with soft plastic and tungsten weights.

I haven't used the clips much but I have used the weights and tear the nose of the bait on every fish without fail, I'm back to the bobberstop and bullet weight.

YEEES!

I've only had it out once so far on the Skokie lagoons, about 2 hours getting the feel. I caught a couple crappie. It's so fun! I'm stoked!

well, once I was fishing the Fox and a used condom floated by.....waders for me

I see you're from Skokie. The Skokie Laggons would be a god place to give her a try. I haven't fished them but I've heard some good reports along the way

you read my mind!

I have fished the 'goons from the bank quite a bit and have caught nice sized largemouth, bluegill, crappie, northern, and walleye. I'm dying to be able to get to more water on there.

I've mulled over the SIK vs SOT for quite a few years and I think I have made the right choice.

Eric,

I already had a Yakima rack from previous years of mountain biking and needed some update fitting for a modern car and bought the Hully Rollers and Mako saddles, very similar to your set up.

Like I said, my focus will be still water for quite a while so I can learn, I don't want to add the moving water factor in for a bit. If anyone wants to hit the Lagoons, Mazonia, or Shabbona let me know!(or somewhere else)

Nick

If your looking at a Sit-On-Top kayak the first choice is the Liquid Logic Manta Ray in the 12 Foot length.

 

It has all the design and capability of a great paddling and angling craft for open water thru class 3.

The intergrated seat is incredibly functional and supportive. Deck and space layout is made for the angler in mind. The scupper holes are positioned to offer a dry seated ride. The hull has responsive manuevering, efficent tracking and great stabilit for all the paddling needs.

Liquid Logic is nothing but quality!

Good news there! Mine is due in tomorrow(Manta 12). I finally sold the motorcycle. I've been planning on buying a SOT for 4 years.

I plan on alot of stillwater time before hitting the river, if anyone wants to fish sometime let me know!

That fish looks more like it's 12"-13" to me